The goals of these guidelines are to help us avoid hierarchical power dynamics, and take excellent care of each other.

1) Avoid any behaviors that exploit community members.

2) Each profile on the website must represent the provider shown in the profile, and not their employer or colleagues at their practice. Profiles must list contact information that is received directly by the provider in the profile, not the practice. Community members must be able to contact the provider directly and not be referred elsewhere in the practice unless that provider is not available and the community member has asked for referrals.

3) Engage your active listening skills when reading and replying to posts, and take a minute to read and think about your reply to confirm it’s responding to what’s being asked. Not only is this a sign of respect and care, but it’s a way to avoid doing harm.

For example: If a colleague makes a request on behalf of a client seeking a provider of color, it’s offensive and inappropriate to suggest someone who is not a person of color. This counts as a microaggression, and, for the sake of clarity, “micro” in this word does not mean inconsequential, it refers to interactions that are one-on-one or one-on-few. In other words, microaggressions are aggressively harmful regardless of intent, and they take place on a micro level.

4) Be clear and respectful in all posts. Keep in mind that we have a range of providers on this site, some of whom are new therapists or therapists-in-training, and others who are different kinds of health and wellness providers who might be unfamiliar with psychotherapy jargon or thought processes. Please keep in mind that most of us don’t know each other IRL, so it’s not a good idea to make assumptions about each other’s practices. Also, giving the benefit of the doubt or staying silent may not always be a best practice when it comes to doing no harm.

For example, with content related to mandated reporting (i.e., required reporting of current child or elder abuse, and active suicidal or homicidal ideation): If we post a request for referrals or information containing information about a person whose experience would require a mandated reporter to report, it would be a good idea to provide information confirming that any necessary resources have already been provided (if they have). This way people on the list can feel confident that our community is acting safely on behalf of those seeking help, plus it’s good modeling for each other.

Also, whenever I mention mandated reporting, it feels important to add a reminder that involving law enforcement or 911 isn’t always in the best interest of all clients, given that people of color, trans people, and sex workers are often mistreated, assaulted, or worse by LE and 911 responders.

If it comes to my attention that you have not followed these guidelines, you may be removed from the website.

If you’re ever not sure about something, need clarification on any of the above, or want to let me know about a concern you have about someone on the website, please contact me directly at matthew@mjdanistherapy.com.